Insider echoes Bill Belichick media theory, links legend with three teams

Earlier this month, NFL reporter Dianna Russini of The Athletic suggested that former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick warmly embraced numerous media opportunities for the upcoming season in part because he wanted "a public relations makeover" before he attempted to land a head coaching job next year.

Patriots insider Ben Volin of The Boston Globe touched upon that subject during a recent chat with Michael Grant of Awful Announcing.

"Frankly, I think he’s knocked it out of the park [on TV]," Volin said about Belichick. "He’s shown some great personality between the roast of Tom Brady and then Brady’s retirement ceremony at Gillette and Belichick’s appearance during the draft on 'The Pat McAfee Show.' I thought he was fantastic. And absolutely, I think part of his strategy is to show other teams that he’s not always the sour, gruff guy, that he has some personality."

Belichick is expected to make weekly "McAfee Show" appearances during the 2024 season as he serves as an analyst for the "Inside the NFL" program and for ESPN's "ManningCast" "Monday Night Football" alternate broadcasts. He also partnered with Underdog for a YouTube show, with Sports Illustrated's Jimmy Traina noting that he "would expect one more announcement soon about another weekly gig for Belichick."

However, Belichick is still just 15 wins away from setting an NFL record for career victories earned by a head coach (regular season and postseason combined), and he reportedly "intends" to return to the sidelines in 2025. It was revealed in April that he "would be interested in coaching" the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, three teams that could have openings during the league's next hiring cycle.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy remains in the final year of a contract that won't be extended anytime soon. Meanwhile, Nick Sirianni of the Eagles and Brian Daboll of the Giants are both hot-seat candidates coming off disappointing 2023 seasons.

The Cowboys and Eagles may or may not have "expressed interest in Belichick" this past winter.

"I think Belichick wants to get back into coaching," Volin told Grant. "I think the Giants and the Eagles are going to be on the table for him next year. We’ll see about the Cowboys, too."

Volin acknowledged he isn't sure clubs "want a 72-year-old coach" inside their locker rooms these days. Perhaps Belichick's media "makeover" will change how some owners feel about interviewing him when January rolls around.